KERR, George Mcglasham 1874 - 1950

Obituary from the Minutes of the Methodist Conference 1950, page 148

Born at Aberdeen in 1874, of Presbyterian parentage. It was the fellowship of the Class-meeting that drew him to Methodism. When sixteen years old, he realized the claims of Christ on his life ; and very soon afterwards, under the influence of Dr. Laws of Livingstonia, he received the call to service overseas.

He was accepted for our Ministry, and was trained at Aberdeen University and Didsbury College. He was first sent to Southern Rhodesia in 1900. Here he hoped to undertake pioneering work, but the Boer War checked the projected advance.

Seven years later he was appointed to India, to Nizamabad, in the heart of Hyderabad State ; and here he found his life’s work. For nearly thirty years he ministered, seeing the cause grow from small beginnings to the establishment of a Christian community of many thousands.

He took his full share in all sides of missionary activity, but his outstanding work was the creation and supervision of the Dichpali Home for Lepers. It was here that his gifts of organization, the training as a practical builder received in his youth at Aberdeen, his zeal for the Gospel, and his deep Christian compassion all found their fullest expression.

The medical side of the work was in the charge of his wife, Dr. Isabel Kerr ; and the researches she carried out marked a great stage in the discovery of a successful treatment for leprosy.

Their great services to India were recognized when the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal was conferred upon him.

Fourteen years ago he retired to Cove in West Scotland where he entered fully into the life of the little community.

He acquired a position of exceptional influence in the Presbyterian Church which he attended, especially during the five years of the minister’s absence as a chaplain to the Forces. He retained to the end a glowing personal experience of the life hid with Christ in God.

He died very suddenly on 26th April 1950. His work remains.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1950

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